Electric water heaters often face a common issue: overheating! When this happens, you’ll have scalding hot water flowing from your taps and showers, which is definitely not ideal for anyone, but most especially if you have young children in your home. Moreover, prolonged issues with overheating can even cause damage to your water heater. If you find yourself in this situation, you might be wondering what caused the overheating and what steps to take. Fortunately, your experts at Kettering Plumbing & Drain have identified the top three most common reasons why your electric water heater might be overheating.
1. THE THERMOSTAT
First, let’s consider your water heater’s thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for monitoring the water temperature inside the tank. When the temperature drops below a certain point, the thermostat activates the heating element to raise the water temperature. If your water heater is overheating, it could be due to the thermostat being set too high or malfunctioning. Therefore, the first step in addressing an overheating water heater is to check the thermostat.
2. THE HEATING ELEMENT
Your electric water heater could also be overheating due to a damaged heating element. Over time, things tend to wear down, becoming less efficient and effective. This applies to heating elements too. In most cases, a faulty heating element is the culprit behind an overheated water heater. If you suspect this is the issue with your water heater, please contact us.
3. SEDIMENT BUILDUP
Lastly, sediment buildup in the tank can cause your water heater to overheat. (This is why regular maintenance is so vital!) As time passes, sediment buildup occurs, which will then lead to the buildup acting as an insulation barrier to the heating elements. This prevents the heat from escaping, which makes the water heater work harder, leading to overheating. To fix this issue, the tank needs to be flushed to remove the sediment buildup. Since this task involves working with water and electricity, it’s recommended to hire a licensed plumber.
Leaving an overheating water heater unfixed can cause permanent damage and result in costly repairs or replacements down the road. It’s best to address the overheating issue promptly before it becomes a bigger problem. If you’re experiencing water heater overheating problems, please contact us. We’re here to help you get it resolved quickly!
Call Kettering Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 764-3788, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!